The world’s passport rankings have shifted again, reflecting changing patterns of diplomacy, international cooperation and global mobility. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, published using exclusive International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, Singapore has retained its position as the world’s most powerful passport, giving its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations.
The UAE emerged as the biggest winner in this edition of the rankings, climbing three places since January to share second place with Japan and South Korea, whose passport holders can now travel to 188 destinations without securing a visa in advance.
Sweden moved into third place with access to 187 destinations, while Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain shared fourth place, each offering visa-free access to 186 destinations. The United Kingdom climbed to sixth place, helped by newly negotiated visa-free access to China and Malawi, while Canada ranked seventh. The United States remained in tenth position, continuing a longer-term decline from the top of the rankings despite retaining access to 180 destinations.
At the opposite end of the index, Afghanistan remained the world’s weakest passport, with access to just 22 destinations, leaving a record gap of 170 destinations between the strongest and weakest passports globally.
The biggest story comes from the Middle East
While the annual rankings are often dominated by Asian and European countries, this year’s report tells a much bigger story about the growing influence of the Middle East. The UAE is now not only the highest-ranked passport in the Arab world, but also the only GCC country to feature in the global top 10. More remarkably, it has become the single biggest success story in the Henley Passport Index’s 20-year history.
When the index was first launched in 2006, the UAE ranked 62nd globally. Since then, it has added 153 visa-free destinations, the largest improvement recorded by any country over the lifetime of the index. Today, Emirati passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 188 destinations, a transformation that reflects two decades of diplomatic engagement, economic partnerships and international cooperation.
“The world’s strongest passports belong to nations that other countries want as partners—for trade, investment, security or cooperation,” said Dr Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the Henley Passport Index. For the UAE, that progress has been driven by years of bilateral visa-waiver agreements, expanding trade relationships and a deliberate strategy to strengthen the country's global standing.
The Gulf continues to strengthen its global mobility
The UAE may be leading the region, but the wider Gulf is also steadily improving its international connectivity. Qatar ranked 49th globally with visa-free access to 112 destinations, followed by Kuwait (52nd), Saudi Arabia (54th), Bahrain (56th) and Oman (58th).
Together, the rankings reflect the GCC’s broader investment in international tourism, aviation and cross-border travel. The region is preparing to launch the long-awaited GCC Grand Tours Visa, which will allow visitors to travel across all six Gulf countries using a single visa, creating a Schengen-style travel experience for international tourists.
At the same time, governments continue introducing new visa programmes designed to attract visitors, investors, entrepreneurs and remote workers. The UAE has also expanded its own mobility offering through initiatives including a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, allowing eligible visitors to spend up to 180 days each year in the country.
Airlines help reshape global connectivity
The Gulf’s improving passport strength has been accompanied by unprecedented growth in aviation. Regional airlines continue expanding their global reach as governments invest heavily in airports, tourism infrastructure and international connectivity. Etihad Airways has recently launched routes including Charlotte in the United States and Baku in Azerbaijan as it works towards serving 125 destinations by 2030. Flydubai has added new services to Aleppo, Benghazi and Pokhara, while Air Arabia has expanded its European network with flights to London Gatwick and Rome Fiumicino alongside its return to Aleppo. Meanwhile, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudia and the soon-to-launch Riyadh Air continue to strengthen the Gulf’s position as one of the world’s most important aviation markets. Combined with billions of dollars of investment in airports and tourism infrastructure, the region is increasingly positioning itself as a global crossroads for international travel.
More than just a travel document
Henley & Partners argues that passport strength has become a barometer of geopolitical influence rather than simply a measure of travel convenience. As countries compete to attract investment, tourism and talent, mobility has become a strategic asset in its own right.
The report notes that the average passport today provides access to 108 destinations, almost double the figure recorded when the index was launched two decades ago. For the UAE, however, the latest rankings represent more than another rise up the table. They illustrate how sustained investment in diplomacy, aviation, tourism and international partnerships has transformed one of the world’s fastest-rising travel hubs into the home of the Arab world’s most powerful passport.
As Gulf countries continue investing in airlines, airports, tourism projects and regional connectivity, the latest Henley Passport Index suggests that the Middle East’s influence on global travel is only set to grow.
